With a focus on quality and reliability, Joswin plays a key role in helping authors bring their books to life and into the hands of their readers.
Learn more about his role at Tellwell.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Joswin Berdon, and I’m 26 years old. I’m cheerful, easygoing, and fun to be around. My hobbies include reading web novels, hanging out with friends, or simply dozing off in a quiet corner of the house.
Marketing Consultant Ben St. James has worked with hundreds of authors since joining Tellwell just over two years ago. While he can’t read every manuscript in its entirety, he enjoys engaging with the stories and previewing numerous books.
His debut picture book, Guinea Pig Power, has received multiple accolades, including Bronze in the Early Readers (6–8) category of the Reader Views Literary Award, Silver for Juvenile Bedtime Stories, and Bronze for Cover Illustration at the L.A. BookFest, and an Honourable Mention (4th place) in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards for General Picture Books, among others.
We’re excited to introduce Rubby in this month’s Meet the Team!
As a publishing consultant at Tellwell, Rubby is passionate about helping authors bring their books to life. He’s there to guide them through each step of the process, offering advice and support to make publishing as smooth as possible. He’s always ready to chat and offer a helping hand to authors, making him a key part of our team.
Let’s get to know Rubby a bit better!
What inspired you to get into the field of book publishing?
The desire to help authors share their voices with the world. Guiding a book from concept to completion, knowing it has the potential to impact readers’ lives, is what truly motivates me.
This August we’re excited to introduce Alfred, one of our in-house book illustrators who brings stories to life through his creative illustrations.
Get to know more about Alfred and the important role he plays in making each book unique.
What led you to become an illustrator, and how did your journey begin in the world of book illustration?
My journey as an illustrator began with a deep love for drawing and storytelling. Fascinated by how images bring stories to life, I was also inspired by watching anime, movies, and cartoons, and reading comics and manga, which led me to create my own art.
This July, we are excited to introduce Kerry Wilson, one of our editors at Tellwell Publishing. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Kerry Wilson plays an important role in refining and perfecting manuscripts, ensuring that each book reaches its full potential.
Read on to get to know Kerry and her role at Tellwell.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Kerry Wilson, and I’ve been a professional editor for about twelve years. I live in southwestern Ontario with my husband, and together we have three kids (that includes my awesome son-in-law), a dog, two cats, and multiple birds at my feeders! I was born in Toronto and grew up just north of there, so I am an avid Maple Leafs fan, and can actually say that I was alive the last time they won the cup. I think I was a week or two old!!
I graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1990 with an honours B.A. in English and History, and from St. Francis Xavier University in 1992 with a B.Ed. that led to qualifications as an Intermediate/Senior English teacher. In 2011, I graduated with an M.Ed., again from Western University. I worked in the education field for twenty-five years as a high school English teacher, a principal, and an educational consultant.
Jennifer’s dedication to helping writers find and share their voices is at the heart of her work. Jennifer is also an accomplished author herself having written and published two books:) Her passion for storytelling extends into the community, particularly in schools and prisons, where she utilizes proprioceptive writing techniques to tune writers to their inner voice and write from the heart.
Jennifer Chapin brings a lot of experience and passion to her role. She starts authors on their publishing journeys with a background in sales and a deep love for storytelling. Read on to get to know Jennifer better!
Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to become a book-publishing consultant?
I have a background in professional sales that includes the hotel business here in Canada and in New York City. Prior to beginning with Tellwell I worked for a technology company that developed software to help non-profit organizations secure foundation funding. I helped my clients fine-tune their stories to attract funders. I also worked in Granada, Spain, for a short time while researching my novel, The Poet & The Angel, which Tellwell published in 2020. It was an easy transition for me, as I am both a writer and a reader—books are an important part of my world. The message of The Poet & The Angel is to always speak up and understand the power of your voice, and never let anyone curtail you from doing so.
We are excited to announce that voting for the prestigious Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics has opened to the public. We would be honoured to have your support this year!
Every year, the BBB serving Vancouver Island honours businesses that stand out for their commitment to ethical business practices. Your nomination for Tellwell Publishing is a testament to our dedication to ethical standards and customer service excellence.
Tellwell Publishing has been a finalist for the BBB Torch Awards for the past two years thanks to the wonderful nominations from our literary community.
In this Meet the Team feature, we’re proud to introduce you to Francis Lu, one of our talented book-publishing consultants.
Francis plays an important role in connecting with authors who are interested in sharing their stories with the world. Read through to learn more about Francis and his role at Tellwell!
What does a typical day look like for you as a book-publishing consultant?
A typical day of a publishing consultant can be summed up in three words: Many. Phone. Calls. This is because a publishing consultant would typically aim to have as much opportunity as possible to speak with authors, learn about what their goals are, and provide guidance and suggestions to help authors achieve their dream of publishing their book in a way that is easy, simple and fun:)
Introducing Ralph Cavero, one of our skilled in-house book designers! This March we’re shining a spotlight on the creative journey involved in designing authors’ books.
Join Ralph as he uncovers the secrets behind book covers.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been happily married for 12 years and have three kids: two lovely daughters and an angel son. Spending meaningful time with my family is important for me.
I completed my bachelor’s in computer engineering with a focus on computer networking at the University of San Carlos. Music is a passion of mine—I enjoy all genres and can play the guitar. Sports, particularly basketball, captivate my interest, and I also have a fondness for art, including drawing, design, and decoration. Nature, with its lush greens and serene blues, holds a special place in my heart.
How did you start your journey as a book designer, and what drew you to working with Tellwell Publishing?
During my college years, I began developing my design skills by taking on commissioned projects in my spare time. Upon graduating, I decided to pursue a career in design, alongside managing computer shops and laboratories, driven by my deep fascination in the field.
I spent two years at Sunstar Publishing, followed by five years at Author Solutions Inc. Later, I joined Black Card Books for two years before settling into Tellwell, where I’ve been for the past three years. What attracted me to Tellwell was their commitment to valuing their employees. Even during the hiring process, I was impressed by their treatment of human resources. For me, work becomes less of a chore when you feel valued, acknowledged, and supported. Tellwell has demonstrated that it’s not just about what you contribute to the company, but also about receiving recognition and support that matches your hard work.
Introducing Shaira Villamor, a skilled project manager at Tellwell. In this month’s Meet the Team, Shaira shares her behind-the-scenes insights into the book publishing journey.
Dive into Shai’s world and discover her pivotal role in the publishing process!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a graduate of Communication Arts. I am interested in public speaking and feature writing, but that doesn’t mean I am good at them. I started reading books in an attempt to improve my speaking and writing skills. My recent favourite read is The Hunger Games Trilogy. Once in a while, I enjoy travelling with family. I learned that travelling helps me understand myself more.
